Charles Barrett Sullivan, age 35, tragically passed away as a result of a motorcycle accident on November 5, 2025. Charlie was born November 2, 1990 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the youngest child of Roger Barrett Sullivan Jr and Vickie Adele (Vanes) Bono.
Charlie graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2009. He attended Ferris State University, then Kalamazoo County Community Police Academy before finally settling down with his passion: the Oshtemo Fire Department. That’s the job he loved!
Charlie was known for his quiet kindness. Never boasted. Not shy, yet very charismatic. He made people around him comfortable. Never spoke bad of anyone. He was a kind, lovable bear of a man. Kids and animals loved him. Charlie was always available to move a refrigerator, replace a headlight, build a deck, change a diaper, babysit his nieces or a family pet. He loved family. It didn’t matter whether the celebration was up north, or Idaho, or Europe, Charlie came. Holidays and birthdays were so much fun with his humor and stories. And he was very happy to take home the leftovers.
Charlie was an adventurer. He was willing to try anything once. Otherwise he would never know if he might like it. That included food like sushi. Racing mountain bikes,snowboarding, longboarding, wrestling, football, rugby, sky diving, cage fighting, winter kayaking down the Platte River, hiking the Grand Canyon, camping at Nordhouse Dunes and fighting fires in Colorado. The adventures of Charlie were endless.
He loved to read while absently twisting his long hair. He loved Lake Michigan. He loved bad movies. He adored his nieces. He loved Hadley. And of course, he loved his motorcycle.
Besides his parents, Roger (Jeannette) and Vickie (Russ), Charlie is survived by his life partner Hadley Hill: his sister Colleen (Andrew): brother Sam (Katie) and nieces Shea Lynn and Madilynn: aunts Margaret (Barney) Martlew, Amy Sullivan: uncles Tim (Cathy) Sullivan, Jim (Christy) Vanes, Guy (Dinelle) Vanes: Cousins, Brady, Zach, Maggie, Alexandra, Guy,Jr, Jim, Abby, and Mary: step sisters Angela, Jaqueline (Devon). Rebecca (Brandon), Sydney and their numerous offspring both near a far.
Charlie was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents: Jim and Dana Vanes, Roger Sr and Janet Sullivan and cousin Curren.
With the help of the Oshtemo Fire Department, Langeland Funeral Home, and Fieldstone Grill, the celebration of Charlie’s life was held November 12., 2025
And what a celebration it was!
